BACKGROUND: The relationship between sex hormones and asthma has not been clarified. Studies have suggested a potential beneficial effect of exogenous sex hormones and/or contraceptive pills on asthma in premenopausal females whereas the data for postmenopausal females are inconsistent. CASE REPORT: A 33-year-old woman suffering from asthma with premenstrual exacerbations had a stable course until she began taking oral contraceptives. At that time she experienced clinical deterioration of her asthma associated with decline of pulmonary function tests. No other precipitating factors were identified. After discontinuing the contraceptives, her condition returned to baseline. CONCLUSION: We found only two reports of worsening of asthma related to hormonal therapy (estrogen in one case, contraceptive pills in the other) in premenopausal women. Our report, together with these observations, suggests that in some premenopausal women exogenous sex hormones and/or contraceptive pills may, contrary to expected, produce exacerbation of asthma.
BACKGROUND: The relationship between sex hormones and asthma has not been clarified. Studies have suggested a potential beneficial effect of exogenous sex hormones and/or contraceptive pills on asthma in premenopausal females whereas the data for postmenopausal females are inconsistent. CASE REPORT: A 33-year-old woman suffering from asthma with premenstrual exacerbations had a stable course until she began taking oral contraceptives. At that time she experienced clinical deterioration of her asthma associated with decline of pulmonary function tests. No other precipitating factors were identified. After discontinuing the contraceptives, her condition returned to baseline. CONCLUSION: We found only two reports of worsening of asthma related to hormonal therapy (estrogen in one case, contraceptive pills in the other) in premenopausal women. Our report, together with these observations, suggests that in some premenopausal women exogenous sex hormones and/or contraceptive pills may, contrary to expected, produce exacerbation of asthma.
Entities:
Keywords:
Americas; Biology; Case Studies; Contraception; Contraceptive Methods--side effects; Developed Countries; Family Planning; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation; North America; Northern America; Oral Contraceptives--side effects; Physiology; Pulmonary Effects; Reproduction; Research Methodology; Research Report; Studies; United States
Authors: Ana Paula Ligeiro de Oliveira; Jean Pierre Schatzmann Peron; Amilcar Sabino Damazo; Adriana Lino dos Santos Franco; Helori Vanni Domingos; Sonia Maria Oliani; Ricardo Martins Oliveira-Filho; Bernardo Boris Vargaftig; Wothan Tavares-de-Lima Journal: Respir Res Date: 2010-08-24